NEWCASTLE — A Railfest picnic in the Foreshore Park on October 2 attracted more than 1000 people over the day. The picnic was organised by Save Our Rail, which is campaigning to stop the planned closure of the Broadmeadow to Newcastle rail line. SOR is raising public awareness about the impact of the proposed cut, and also developing an alternative plan, which involves better linking of existing transport networks and improved Newcastle rail amenities.
The NSW government has not announced a reversal of its decision to cut the line, however SOR president Joan Dawson told Green Left Weekly that the government has not included in its latest budget the cost of supplementing the rail line with buses. As well, the government's draft strategic plan for the region, being developed with input from local environmental and community organisations including SOR, presupposes the retention of the rail service in its recommendations. So, while the campaign to save the rail line is far from won, it is gaining ground.
Zane Alcorn
From Green Left Weekly, October 26, 2005.
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